Providence’s Jeffrey Viel was pumped after punishing Laval’s Luke Tuch in a fight on Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins)

Two games down, 70 to go.

The Providence Bruins earned a split on the first weekend of the 2024-25 season.

They started fast but quickly lost their way in a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Laval Rocket in the opener at home on Friday, then dug in for a 3-2 road win against the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday.

Here’s the good, bad and ugly.

GOOD

— Vinni Lettieri scored goals in both games. It’s great to have him back.

— Jordan Oesterle had an excellent weekend. The veteran defenseman earned primary assists on both Providence goals on Friday, then scored the shorthanded game-winner in Bridgeport.

— Good start for rugged winger Jeffrey Viel. He demolished Laval’s Luke Tuch in a fight, much to the delight of Friday night’s big crowd, then took a picture-perfect stretch pass from Mike Callahan and scored a breakaway goal on Saturday.

— Mike DiPietro earned the win in Bridgeport, stopping 28 of 30 shots.

— Getting Ian Mitchell back from Boston should provide a good boost for the P-Bruins.

— The home opener drew a crowd of 9,189.

 BAD

— Providence jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first 11 minutes against Laval, then allowed five straight goals. That’s no way to start a season with a big crowd in the building.

— After scoring early in Friday’s game, the power play went 0 for 8 for the rest of the weekend and gave up a shorthanded goal in Bridgeport.

— The lack of sustained attack in both games was alarming. Providence generated only 14 shots on Friday and 20 on Saturday.

— Tough night for Jimmy Lambert – minus-3 – against Laval.

UGLY

— Injured: Alec Regula